Ophthalmic lens including a spatially-modulated optical power profile

Abstract

An ophthalmic lens having a central zone and a peripheral zone. The central zone having a first region characterized by a substantially constant first optical power and a second region disposed radially outward of the first region having periodic positive and negative deviations in power as a function of radial position, relative to the substantially constant first power. The peripheral zone disposed radially outward of the central zone. The peripheral zone having periodic positive and negative deviations relative to an average optical power, the average optical power increasing as a function of radius from the first power.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An ophthalmic lens, comprising:
 a central zone having a first region characterized by a substantially constant first optical power and a second region disposed radially outward of the first region having positive and negative deviations in power as a function of radial position, relative to the substantially constant first power; and   a peripheral zone disposed radially outward of the central zone, the peripheral zone having positive and negative deviations as a function of radial position, relative to an average optical power, the average optical power increasing as a function of radius from the substantially constant first optical power.   
     
     
         2 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially constant first optical power of the first region, the positive and negative deviations of the second region as a function of radius, and the positive and negative deviations of peripheral zone constitute a power profile, and
 wherein the power profile has no discontinuities in power.   
     
     
         3 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the central zone is at least 2 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the central zone is at least 3 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the central zone and the peripheral zone are rotationally symmetric. 
     
     
         6 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is contact lens. 
     
     
         7 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the positive and negative deviations in power of at least one of the second region and the peripheral zone is periodic as a function of radius. 
     
     
         8 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the area above the constant first power and the average power that is encompassed by the positive deviations is less than 20% different than the area below the constant first power and the average power that is encompassed by the negative deviations. 
     
     
         9 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the deviation amplitude relative to the average optical power of the peripheral zone is equal to the deviation amplitude relative to the substantially constant first power in the second region. 
     
     
         10 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the average optical power in the peripheral zone increases linearly. 
     
     
         11 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the positive deviations and the negative deviations in the peripheral zone have an amplitude in the range of 0.5-12.0 diopters. 
     
     
         12 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the positive deviations and the negative deviations in the second region and the peripheral zone are determined by variations in surface curvature. 
     
     
         13 . The lens of  claim 2 , wherein the lens is contact lens. 
     
     
         14 . The lens of  claim 13 , wherein the central zone and the peripheral zone are rotationally symmetric. 
     
     
         15 . The lens of  claim 14 , wherein the diameter of the central zone is at least  2  mm. 
     
     
         16 . The lens of  claim 15 , wherein the positive and negative deviations in power of at least one of the second region and the peripheral zone is periodic as a function of radius. 
     
     
         17 . The lens of  claim 16 , wherein the area above the constant first power and the average power that is encompassed by the positive deviations is less than  20 % different than the area below the constant first power and the average power that is encompassed by the negative deviations. 
     
     
         18 . The lens of  claim 17 , wherein the positive deviations and the negative deviations in the peripheral zone have an amplitude in the range of 0.5-12.0 diopters. 
     
     
         19 . The lens of  claim 18 , wherein the positive deviations and the negative deviations in the second region and the peripheral zone are determined by variations in surface curvature. 
     
     
         20 . The lens of  claim 19 , wherein the average optical power in the peripheral zone increases linearly.